racial equity

After the release of loved ones from jail or prison, the criminal record reduces ability to gain employment, get business loans, or to receive bonding. And while a child is happy to see his or her parent on return, the emotional and social manifestation of limited job resources negatively impacts the bonding process as feelings of disappointment and anger fester. “Arrows in the Quiver" is an Expunction (sometimes referred to as Expungement) project for adults and juvenile offenders, and was created to address the problem of a disproportionate number of poor and minority people with criminal records.

Giving new hope to parents and children, this project will raise the awareness of the expunction process among the target population, teaching them how to participate in the expunction of their criminal records. With expunction comes increased future economic opportunities, including employment, as the incarcerated have less a chance for achievement often due to economic strain on grandparents and extended families. In the instance of juvenile offenders, oftentimes they are unaware of the consequences of their actions, the legal ramifications of a juvenile offense on their record, and the long term effect of marketability of skills in the work place. In addition, in most instances juvenile offenders are not aware of the legal deadlines for application of expunctions. This project will conduct community outreach activities and forums to raise awareness, educate and help families to apply for expunctions on their own and/or with assistance from the legal community depending on resources.